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To beat Trump, we need to know why Americans keep voting for him. Psychologists may have the answer (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

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US culture is an incubator of ‘extrinsic values’. Nobody embodies them like the Republican frontrunner

Many explanations are proposed for the continued rise of Donald Trump, and the steadfastness of his support, even as the outrages and criminal charges pile up. Some of these explanations are powerful. But there is one I have seen mentioned nowhere, which could, I believe, be the most important: Trump is king of the extrinsics.

Some psychologists believe our values tend to cluster around certain poles, described as “intrinsic” and “extrinsic”. People with a strong set of intrinsic values are inclined towards empathy, intimacy and self-acceptance. They tend to be open to challenge and change, interested in universal rights and equality, and protective of other people and the living world.

People at the extrinsic end of the spectrum are more attracted to prestige, status, image, fame, power and wealth. They are strongly motivated by the prospect of individual reward and praise. They are more likely to objectify and exploit other people, to behave rudely and aggressively and to dismiss social and environmental impacts. They have little interest in cooperation or community. People with a strong set of extrinsic values are more likely to suffer from frustration, dissatisfaction, stress, anxiety, anger and compulsive behaviour.

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[-] Tristaniopsis@aussie.zone 22 points 9 months ago

I have very little empathy with people who are wilfully ignorant and determined to destroy others’ education or quality of life.

[+] DessertStorms@kbin.social -20 points 9 months ago

And yet, you still blame the voters, and not those in charge of their education system, socialising, the media they consume, and so on.. 🤔

[-] Tristaniopsis@aussie.zone 12 points 9 months ago

Oh I am fully aware that they are the feckless recipients of the generous largess of their masters.

The dark money that has fuelled their descent into cultural and intellectual retardation (not a slur on congenital learning disabilities) is criminal.

Yet this section of society seems ravenously hungry to become worse and infect others.

[-] frunch@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

But the people in charge are the people they voted for... I suppose this is a chicken/egg situation?

[-] Timwi@kbin.social -3 points 9 months ago

That assumes that they could have voted for anyone, when in fact the ruling elite preselects which candidates are even allowed to run, plus the media (also controlled by the ruling elite) make sure that you get no access to high-quality information about any candidate (least of all the “undesirable” ones).

[-] thisorthatorwhatever@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

The popular vote went to Hillary. The current American 'democracy' is not very good and needs to be fixed with more democracy.

[-] Socsa@sh.itjust.works 1 points 9 months ago

...so the voters? Who vote for their education system?

[-] Potatofish@lemmy.world 0 points 9 months ago

We are well past this. The damage has already been done and there is no quick fix for it.

this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2024

379 points (93.4% liked)

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